The Bigger Picture: Municipal taxes see a bump in most Fox Valley communities

Jun. 21, 2014

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Post-Crescent Media

Bigger perspective on public spendingYour property taxes are spent on police and fire services, education, utilities, public works, parks and recreation, a judicial system, economic development and more, and you deserve to know how that money is used. Each Sunday, Post-Crescent Media examines a slice of that spending: where taxes go, what they buy, and, as often as possible, how the spending compares with similar expenditures elsewhere. If you have a story suggestion, contact Local News Editor Andy Thompson at athompson@postcrescent.com or 920-993-1000, ext. 257.

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After taxes for K-12 education, municipal levies account for more of your property bill than any other type of government service in Wisconsin.

Statewide, the municipal portion accounts for about one-quarter of most residentsí tax bills. It rose 2 percent in 2013-14 to $2.55 billion, a study from the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance showed.

Unlike state government with income and sales taxes ó which grows with inflation and the economy ó cities and towns must rely on property taxes for its main revenue source. Each municipality sets its budget to cover city expenses, but faces state-imposed levy limits, meaning that tax burdens fluctuate across the state.

The study found that tax increases didnít vary greatly by municipality. Towns, which often serve rural areas, raised taxes the most at 2.2 percent, followed by cities at 2 percent and villages at 1.8 percent.

Hereís a breakdown of municipal taxes in the region this year, listed by municipal charges per capita:

Appleton, $519: The levy rose 2 percent in 2013-14 to $38 million. Mayor Tim Hanna said thatís right about on target, given the levy limits and balance after state shared revenue.

Grand Chute, $464: The levy increased by 0.8 percent to $10 million this year.

Green Bay $500: The levy dipped slightly in 2013-14 to $52 million. Among the top 25 most populous cities in the state, it was one of just three that froze or cut taxes this year. The median increase for those 25 municipalities was 1.4 percent.

Menasha $555: The levy remained flat at $9.7 million.

Neenah $601: The levy increased by 1.85 percent this year to $15.7 million.

Oshkosh $483: The levy increased by 4.7 percent this year to $32 million. Among the largest cities, thatís the largest tax hike aside from Eau Claire, which increased taxes 4.9 percent.